The 2015 draft starts on MLBN tonight at 4 pm MDT and runs for the next three days. You can follow the picks live via Twitter. By most accounts the top five talents are Dansby Swanson, Brendan Rodgers, Alex Bregman, Carson Fulmer (RHP), and Dillon Tate (RHP). Some sources including sdcarp say that Tate is ticketed for bullpen. If the Rockies want to go with a pitcher with their third overall pick, they would be wise to go with Fulmer instead of Jay. Rockies have #3, #27, #38, and #44 picks tonight. A really good summary of the talent was provided by Purple Row’s Sage Farron.
| RD | PICK | PLAYER | SCHOOL | POS | B/T | CLASS | SCOUTING VIDEO | PLAYER INFO | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | Rodgers, Brendan | Lake Mary HS (FL) | SS | R/R | HS | Watch Now | 6’0″ 180lbs DOB: 08/09/96 | ||
| 1 | 27 | Nikorak, Mike | Stroudsburg HS (PA) | RHP | R/R | HS | Watch Now | 6’5″ 205lbs DOB: 09/16/96 | ||
| CB A | 38 | Nevin, Tyler | Poway HS (CA) | 3B | R/R | HS | Watch Now | 6’4″ 200lbs DOB: 05/29/97 | ||
| 2 | 44 | Lambert, Peter | San Dimas HS (CA) | RHP | R/R | HS | Watch Now | 6’2″ 185lbs DOB: 04/18/97 | ||
| 3 | 77 | Medina, Javier | Sahuaro HS (AZ) | RHP | R/R | HS | — | 6’2″ 190lbs DOB: 08/09/96 | ||
| 4 | 107 | Hill, David | University of San Diego (CA) | RHP | R/R | JR | — | 6’2″ 195lbs DOB: 05/27/94 | ||
| 5 | 137 | French, Parker | Texas (TX) | RHP | L/R | SR | — | 6’2″ 225lbs DOB: 03/19/93 | ||
| 6 | 167 | Wynkoop, Jack | South Carolina (SC) | LHP | L/L | JR | Watch Now | 6’5″ 200lbs DOB: 11/02/93 | ||
| 7 | 197 | Mundell, Brian | Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo (CA) | 1B | R/R | JR | — | 6’3″ 230lbs DOB: 02/28/94 | ||
| 8 | 227 | Welmon, Colin | Loyola Marymount University (CA) | RHP | L/R | SR | — | 6’3″ 190lbs DOB: 08/07/92 | ||
| 9 | 257 | Killian, Trey | Arkansas (AR) | RHP | R/R | JR | Watch Now | 6’3″ 190lbs DOB: 03/24/94 | ||
| 10 | 287 | Anderson, Cole | Rocky Mountain HS (CO) | CF | R/R | HS | — | 5’11” 190lbs DOB: 02/07/97 |
Unfortunately, I will be at Coors Field to watch the Rox score a measly one run tonight. But I’ll be watching the Twitter feed on my cell. 🙂 I really hope we get Swanson or Rogers.
I agree on Swanson or Rogers, but if the past has shown us anything it is that this team doesn’t draft talent, they draft position and with a Tulo contract into the next decade I don’t see them grabbing Swanson. If they do grab him, then that might be a clear sign that we are looking to turn around and flip him in a deal, which is also a good idea. Don’t see that happening because it is such a… Read more »
I don’t know if this comment (from BA’s latest mock) is just mouthing off or if he is knowledgeable, but I’ll be bummed if we take Jay which is way too early. “I do not care how nasty Jays stuff supposedly is, he is undersized and has been a reliever in college. The Twins of all teams should know the success rate of converting a college reliever into a starter, especially a TOR starter, is not very good. Hopefully they… Read more »
Brendan Rodgers – SWEET – #1 Baseball America!
Best player in the draft. At the draft. MLB Gang loves its.
Yes! Does it mean we have the Forrest Wall/Brendan Rodgers combo in 4 years? And Arenado and Kyle Parker round out the IF
I can’t tell you how psyched I am that they went best available instead of pitcher. We’ll see what happens at pick #27, but hopefully this trend continues.
Two scenarios at #27. Conventional – since we’ll probably have to go over slot to sign Rodgers, a “reach” on a player here makes since. Maybe save 250K-500K that can be shifted to help with Rodgers. Out-of-the-Box Big Cojones Move – trading Tulo, Cargo, JDLR, at minimum saves +/- 50M next year. We’ll probably have to pick up some of their salaries – so say we save 30M. Use some of that money to pay over slot tax and go… Read more »
BTW – I hereby nominate the nickname Joe Dirt to Rodgers:
http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=JN.P/wiafBhSptc4sJL5yFJzQ&w=300&h=300&c=0&pid=1.9&rs=0&p=0
ouch – giants take phil bickford. he was on my radar at #27.
wow – purple row is reporting Rodgers has already agreed to a contract with the Rockies. I find that hard to believe, but it’s great news if true.
Lots of “passed” players available. Rodgers has already agreed to terms. $$$$ for slot should be completely known. Rockies are in drivers seat for this pick.
Funkhouser?
Good pitchers out there for 27 — thanks to some of the teams in front of us for passing on pitching.
Chris Betts would also be a great pick here.
Nikorak……on the Rox radar for a longtime…..physically present at draft.
#15 prospect OA. Rox with #1 OA and #15 OA with #3 and #27 picks.
hmmmm….turns out Rodgers and Nikorak are buddies from all-star games.
Rodgers and Forest Wall know each other. Rox drafting for clubhouse culture.
This tells me Rodgers came in “on slot.” Massive night for Rockies.
Yes! Nikroek! Bridich scouted him earlier considering him at #3
Has touched 97 on the gun in his HS games this Spring.
Two more picks tonight Boyz and Girlz.
If the Rox pull off Funkhouser or Betts at #38 I’ll be stoked.
Dodgers just snagged Funkhouser. He’ll be a tough sign. Dodgers can get that done.
Daz Cameron will be picked up by the Astros.
Carp, 2 high schoolers with our 1st round picks – watch out MLB for our 2019-2022 contention window!
Holy cow…..word leaked that the Rox will take Phil Nevin’s son Tyler at #38.
We might have to dust off the old RWO Grand Junction meetup idea to see Rogers and Nikorak this summer.
What a freakin draft by the Rox…..going High School. Being cognizant of the 2018/2019 contention window. Someone is doing some thinking for a change.
#44 will come quickly. Chris Betts still hanging out there. Tells me there may be a signability issue.
Mike Matuella is still hanging out there – coming off TJ surgery. Generally thought of as a top 5 pick coming into this year. He might come in at slot considering injury. Typically not a fan of guys coming off TJ…..but this is far enough down to roll the dice,
Peter Lambert. UCLA Commit. Worry a bit about signing this one.
We’ll see. I very much like taking the young guys, being cognizant of a contention window. Now the Rox to get Tulo and Cargo traded for the highest return possible.
What works good with these HS picks is that if they take three to four years to develop, then if Tulo and Cargo are still here, at least there won’t be that much left on those contracts that far down the line. Remember that this draft is considered a weak one as far as impact players are concerned. There could be some hidden gems in the HS kids tho. This may be one of those “from out of left field”… Read more »
Another high schooler at 44 … carp, they’re listening to you!
Just read where one of Brendan Rogers’ Little League coaches was none other than Dante Bichette.
Good draft so far. Saw Spilly interview Rodgers whose stoked about being with Rox and his old pal Forrest Wall. Definitely like the 94-97 mph Nikorek pick out of HS. Keep his mechanics right and he could reach 97-100 in 3 years. Not sure about Nevin. He was rated #87 by BA so he probably won’t move very fast. Lambert, if he signs and there’s no reason to think the Rox wasted a #44 pick on someone who won’t sign.… Read more »
Spilly was excellent – in general! Lambert – there is a reason that he may not sign – UCLA. Strong program. Program that develops players. Don’t get me wrong – I hope he signs – and if I’m his parents I tell the Rox to put 200K in an annuity for college at some point down the road and sign for 1.1M (his slot was 1.3M). But don’t be shocked if this is the slot where the Rox “gain” 1.3M… Read more »
I think Nevin was ranked much higher but then he had TJ surgery, but he’s not a pitcher. For whatever reason he dropped a ways down. I don’t see how a TJ can affect his hitting and throwing three years down the road. Similar to Forrest Wall dropping a little due to his shoulder injury?
Excellent article on Rodgers:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/draft/2015/06/08/brendan-rodgers-colorado-rockies-shortstop-lake-mary-high-school-mlb-draft/28717371/
MAN i’m stoked for this kid!!! Great draft pick Rox…i guess a crappy year last year did have a somewhat silver lining…
Was Tyler Nevin anywhere in BA’s top 100 or even 200 list? Did the Rox overreach for him?
BA #87 overall. Roughly #35 High School Player. This will shock you (not!), but I was following probably at least a dozen blogs/websites leading up to the Draft and at least two had Nevin to the Rox at either #27 or #38.
For brief descriptions on Tyler Nevin (#75 on link) and Peter Lambert (#39 on link) as well as Rodgers and Nikorak. Wow, Nikorak has been ranked #9 on this list. That’s the biggest steal of the draft.
http://www.minorleagueball.com/2015/5/30/8690455/2015-mlb-draft-top-400-prospects?_ga=1.10428149.1718387279.1417646754
I don’t worry about TJ surgeries for position players.
Also – even though I preach about not worrying about this stuff early on – don’t be shocked if Nevin doesn’t ultimately become a big lumber 1st baseman.
Javier Medina to Rockies at #77. Another HS player sdcarp! Right handed pitcher. Looking for scouting reports….
FWIW – I don’t have a preference for HS vs College in general. I think it’s totally based on the team drafting. HS makes a ton of sense for the Rockies in this Draft, and probably next year as well. I’m pleasantly surprised that they recognize this. It meshes with the 2019-2022 contention window. As we move to the 2017 and 2018 draft, we may need to shift to college players (shorter horizon to get to majors). Just depends where… Read more »
Ranked #221 by BA.
Minor League Ball had Medina at #109.
David Hill – BA #44, Rox 2nd pick of Round #3. This is a PERFECT example of why I’m so mad at the Rockies regarding Jon Gray. I’m not a fan of “pitch to contact” at Coors Field. But let’s set that aside. Even “if” pitch to contact is the correct strategy, you don’t waste the #3 OA pick on a flame throwing strikeout guy and turn him into a pitch to contact guy. That’s just plain dumb. You take… Read more »
We’re now in the Jeff Bridich era; he might understand what you’re saying; great minds think alike.
Maybe I’ll change my screen name from sdcarp to “Free Jon Gray.”
David Hill – 4th round, #107 overall, but ranked #69 on Minor League Ball on SBNation web and our first non-high school pick; Rox seem to be loading up on pitchers so far in the draft besides Tyler Nevin and Brendan Rodgers: “David Hill is a low upside starter but seems fairly safe. He has a low 90’s fastball but can hit 94. He has a hard slurvy breaking ball that he doesn’t always stay on top of but uses… Read more »
This is a much better strategy. Take elite offensive players early, then add to organization pitching depth by taking a “volume” approach by taking a bunch of pitchers slightly later. A couple of these “volume” guys will pan out with the correct player development.
Parker French, round 5, #137 overall, #157 on Minor League Ball ranking, RHP
“Works in the low 90’s but can hit 95 when he needs to. Slider isn’t as good as his change but they both work. Good command and presence. Potential mid-rotation arm.”
Still loading up on arms in the draft.
“Parker French.” Are you serious? He needs to change his name.
LOL – I was thinking NO not again Parker Frazier.
My take on drafting high schoolers: 1. The best talent, in general, never makes it to college. Just like the the NBA before the “college freshman and up” draft eligibility rule. Therefore, all things being equal, we can expect the college pool to consist of a large percentage of less than elite talent. 2. The recent great players — Harper, Trout, even Arenado — were, for this reason, drafted out of high school. 3. But there still is more risk… Read more »
Specific to your #4 – Ideally, you’re always in contention, so the draft is just a constant restocking of the Farm System, with an occasional short term need pick (like the Royals last year with Finnegan). The Rockies have gotten so far sidetracked that a realistic contention window is years down the road. Hence the “contention window” comment – but that’s largely a “Rockies only” comment. I totally agree that the Astros did us a favor by drafting Bregman. But… Read more »
Round 6, #167 overall, Jack Wynkoop LHP from college; Rockies continue to load up on pitching talent; #274 on Minor League Ball; are the Rockies looking for cheap signs to allocate more money for Peter Lambert?